Running Through It

by Lorie Scarfarotti

Over the course of a week, thirteen-year-old Track & Field runner, Josie Tomaselli, confronts multiple challenges with humour, confusion, fear, "lady balls," and the inspiration of her pre-race music playlist. As the big race approaches, she's missing the support of her father, who is dying of cancer. While at first she refuses to acknowledge the possibility of losing him, in the end she rallies to face the situation and find a way to say goodbye to her dad.

216 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2022

Reviews

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big feelings abound in Lorie Scarfarotti's debut novel about Josie, a teenage track and field runner who isn’t sure she can compete without her biggest fan by her side. Josie’s dad is gravely ill, cheering her on from his hospital bed, but it just isn’t the same. Through a chance encounter with a former Olympic runner, along with the support of her sweet little brother, her mom, and her two best friends, Josie pushes ahead with her training and tackles life’s challenges head-on. With humour and lots of raw emotion, Running Through It is a powerful novel that will pull young readers (approx. ages 11-14) into Josie’s complex world from the very first page.

[V R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it so much!

This book had me hooked from the first page. "Running through it" is an engaging and heartfelt story that takes you through one week of 13-year-old Josie’s life, as she deals with the illness of her father while navigating the challenges of adolescent life. Josie finds comfort and motivation in running, as she competes on the school track team and strives to earn a spot in the city finals. The novel explores themes of family, illness, friendship, resiliency, and self-discovery as Josie embarks on a journey of personal growth amidst adversity. Great read for all, young and old!

[Tiffany Babiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was immediately captivated from the start of Chapter 1 and drawn to young Josie. The author writes about this young’s woman’s life with empathy and compassion, while not shying away from some of the more difficult experiences of a 13 year old girl. She is trying to find her way through the impossible years of adolescence while dealing with a family situation that no one (adult or child) can truly prepare for. I laughed. I cried , I hugged my own kids a little tighter. A great debut novel.

[Charlotte Tanenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this Young adult novel! Thirteen year old Josie’s humor and emotions jump off the pages as she tries to navigate adolescence while dealing with the prospect of losing her father. The descriptions of Josie’s relationships with her mother, younger brother, and her girlfriends brings the reader right back to those middle school days, where innocence and youth are challenged by life’s harsh realities. I laughed, cried and rooted for Josie on race days! It is a wonderful read!

[Donna Rumery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming. I smiled a lot and I cried a lot. Beautifully written through the eyes of a 13 year old. Spot on!

I loved the way the author describes the tense time leading up to Josie's race, while in the background, as a reader, we know what is also a very emotional time given Josie's father's condition. Secrets, personal goals, family and close friendships, all come into play. I read it in one sitting.

[Karen Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that addresses the grieving process of 13 year old girl is unique. Doing so with so much humour and love is a rare find. The characters jump off the page in a way that bring solace to someone who has suffered the loss of a loved one and empathy to those trying to understand what a friend may be going through.

[Michele Parent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book thoughtfully navigates and unpacks the complexities of being a teenager girl in an accessible, deeply relatable way. In addition, it moves around the illness of a parent without filter. I was moved. I laughed. I cried. I carried these characters with me long after I was done reading.

[Marian Girgis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt, tender and genuinely written story about a sad topic- one of the hardest things any child or family will have to deal with, the death of a parent. Also the story is written so beautifully in an age appropriate manner.

[Robert Jubenville · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered on amazon as a gift for my granddaughter Snuck a read before delivering and found the book to be fun to read. Saw some of my granddaughter in the main character.. loved the Italian references and the character descriptions throughout the book….

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely book made me laugh and made me cry. I could identify as a young girl and as a mother of a young girl. A child who is faced with a loss at a pivotal time in her life. Must read!!!

[Karine Bohme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written! Took me right to the place the characters were. Good lessons on perseverance! Loved the book!

[Sarah Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a slay ! 10/10